Weatherhttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/3772/all
enNew App Recap 06/29/15: Bee, Perfect Weather, Disney GIF, and More!http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new-app-recap-062915-bee-perfect-weather-disney-gif-and-more
<!--paging_filter-->http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new-app-recap-062915-bee-perfect-weather-disney-gif-and-more#commentsGalleryAppAppLifeAppsColumnsDisneyEmailExerciseGIFiOSMusicproductivityWeatherwirelessiPadiPhoneiPodMon, 29 Jun 2015 22:19:28 +0000J.R. Bookwalter21791 at http://www.maclife.comNew App Recap 11/10/14: Office for iPhone, Maps 4.0, and more! http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new_app_recap_111014_office_iphone_maps_40_and_more
<!--paging_filter-->http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new_app_recap_111014_office_iphone_maps_40_and_more#commentsGalleryAppLifeAppscamerafinancialiOSMapsNew App RecapproductivitysearchWeatherWidgetsiPadiPhoneiPodMon, 10 Nov 2014 23:48:23 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20919 at http://www.maclife.comNew App Recap: iOS 8 Editionhttp://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new_app_recap_ios_8_edition
<!--paging_filter-->http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/new_app_recap_ios_8_edition#commentsGalleryAppLifeAppsColumnsextensionsiOSKeyboardsPhotographyproductivitytasksWeatheriPadiPhoneiPodMon, 22 Sep 2014 22:03:49 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20673 at http://www.maclife.comFormer Yahoo Exec Responsible for Switch from Yahoo to TWC in iOS 8's Weather Apphttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/former_yahoo_exec_responsible_switch_yahoo_twc_ios_8s_weather_app
<!--paging_filter--><p>One of <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_dumps_yahoo_weather_app_info_ios_8_uses_weather_channel_directly" target="_blank">the first changes</a> to iOS 8&nbsp;that beta testers noticed was that Yahoo, long the source of Apple's data for its default Weather app, had been ousted by <em>The Weather Channel</em>. At the time, some commentators wondered if it was a simple mistake. But according to<a href="http://recode.net/2014/06/20/as-weather-channel-blows-yahoo-off-apples-upcoming-ios-8-app-storms-ahead-for-mayer/" target="_blank"> <em>Re/code</em></a>, the switch was all part of a plan by Weather Channel CEO David Kenny, formerly a Yahoo board member, to wrest the high-profile logo placement from his former company.</p><p>It sounds more than a little sneaky considering Kenny's former position, but the move makes sense in many ways. Yahoo has always pulled its data from The Weather Channel; all Kenny's move has done is cut out the middleman. Kenny reportedly even negotiated the deal by tossing in the improvements we see in the current beta version, such as a nine-day forecast (up from five) and a new weather summary with information previously withheld from the app.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/06/weather_0.jpg" /></p><p>The move must sting all the more as Yahoo has reportedly been in talks to increase its presence in iOS. In fact, just last April Yahoo was attempting to convince Apple to make it the default search engine on the Cupertino company's mobile operating system. Somehow, however, Yahoo's seemingly "safe" arrangement with the Weather app slipped through.</p><p>"Yahoo had been renting ocean-front property for years and did not realize the lease was up, and the Weather Channel slipped right in and took it," said an unnamed Yahoo exec, who also stated that the company acted too late to save the deal. "It’s a high-profile loss."</p><p>Already commentators are starting to wonder if Apple will continue the same trend elsewhere, most notably in the iOS Stocks app, which also draws its information directly from Yahoo. If Tim Cook and friends decide to cut out Yahoo in the same way there, iOS 8 could start pulling its data from Reuters or similar services.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer,<a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">&nbsp;Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/former_yahoo_exec_responsible_switch_yahoo_twc_ios_8s_weather_app#commentsNewsAppsiOS 7iOS 8iPadiphoneWeatheryahooFri, 20 Jun 2014 23:57:05 +0000Leif Johnson20186 at http://www.maclife.comApple Dumps Yahoo for Weather App Info in iOS 8; Uses Weather Channel Directlyhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_dumps_yahoo_weather_app_info_ios_8_uses_weather_channel_directly
<!--paging_filter--><p>We've talked about all kinds of other changes coming to iOS 8, so why not talk about the weather? Specially, the Weather app. After so many years of relying on Yahoo for its weather forecasts, Apple is apparently cutting out of the middleman and relying exclusively on information from The Weather Channel.</p><p>To clarify, Yahoo has always drawn its weather information from The Weather Channel itself, although slight differences reportedly arise in the transition. As <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/03/ios-8-new-weather-app/" target="_blank"><em>MacRumors</em> </a>notes, the switch seems particularly odd since Yahoo and Apple and reportedly been engaged in ongoing talks concerning how to implement Yahoo's services into iOS more thoroughly, and as recently as April reports surfaced that the service was aiming to improve its search engine in the hopes of becoming iOS's default search tool.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/06/weather.jpg" width="620" height="547" /></p><p><strong>Source: <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/03/ios-8-new-weather-app/" target="_blank">MacRumors</a></strong></p><p>The most immediately visible changes are the inclusion of a nine-day forecast (in contrast to the previous five), as well as a weather summary that's immediately available at the bottom of the screen. Before, it took one extra step to view information such as humidity and wind speed; now, you can see all that plus additional information (such as times for sunset and sunrise) within the primary interface.</p><p>Maybe this will change by the time we see the full release. Currently, iOS 8 is only available to developers, and the public release is scheduled for some time this fall. But as of right now, it looks as though those talks might not be going the way Yahoo had hoped.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer,<a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">&nbsp;Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_dumps_yahoo_weather_app_info_ios_8_uses_weather_channel_directly#commentsNewsAppsiOS 7iOS 8iPadiphoneiPodWeatherWed, 04 Jun 2014 00:54:38 +0000Leif Johnson20076 at http://www.maclife.comAccuWeather Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/accuweather_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>There's always a slight sense of fear when one of our favorite apps gets the iOS 7 treatment. Our finger hovers just a second longer over the flattened icon as we brace ourselves for what awaits us inside, hoping that the new guidelines haven't messed with any of the functionality. AccuWeather epitomizes these concerns. With a ground-up redesign that strips away everything that previously set it apart from its competitors, the popular weather app has reinvented itself with version 7, but far too much of its new identity feels cribbed and undeveloped.</p><p><img src="/files/u338318/2014/03/accuweather.png" width="620" height="548" /></p><p>AccuWeather is so different that the first time we used it after the iOS 7 overhaul, we thought we had opened the wrong app. Where the prior version used tabs for navigation, the new one presents all of its information on a single screen. There's still a ton of data—including everything about the current conditions and an outrageous 25-day forecast (available via a $2.99 in-app purchase that also removes ads)—but since there's no way to hide or rearrange any of the elements, getting through all of it requires a fair amount of scrolling. Furthermore, it's difficult to tell which parts of the forecast listing are expandable, and the ones that are didn't always respond to our taps.</p><p>Still, there are some good pieces here. One of the best features we've ever used in a weather app is MinuteCast, which provides an interactive, two-hour forecast targeted to your specific location. (Snow will end in 38 minutes? Great to know.) And while much of the design feels like a variation on popular contemporaries, AccuWeather manages to put an original stamp on things with some unique graphics and layout choices.</p><p>As we said, there’s loads of data still here for weather buffs, but the app's overall presentation makes things seem amateurish compared to the old version. For example, AccuWeather used to be our go-to app for storm watches and warnings, but the new version has ditched the official Weather Service releases for abridged summaries.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> AccuWeather may still be one of the most accurate weather apps around, but its iOS 7 overhaul leaves us flapping in the wind.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accuweather-weather-for-life/id300048137?mt=8" target="_blank">AccuWeather 7.0.4</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
AccuWeather, Inc. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.accuweather.com" target="_blank">www.accuweather.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Free </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Extremely detailed and informative weather stats. Nice graphics and transition animations. Hyperlocal MinuteCast is one of the best weather tools we’ve ever used.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Heavy scrolling makes it difficult to quickly get an overview of weather conditions. Useful data gets lost amidst the frustrating layout and navigation. Design seems derivative of other notable weather apps in spots.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/accuweather_review#commentsGalleryReviewsAccuWeatherapp store reviewsAppLifeAppsforecastiPod and iPhoneSoftwareWeatheriPhoneiPodThu, 20 Mar 2014 17:30:55 +0000Michael Simon19590 at http://www.maclife.comDark Sky Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/dark_sky_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Dark Sky’s daring interface, sense of focus, and precipitation predictions have won plaudits, making it a favorite weather app with iOS users in the know — but the app’s streamlined nature ensured it remained a niche player. With the recent 4.0 version release, the developers are aiming for the mainstream.</p><p>The app has moved beyond primarily being concerned with imminent rainfall and conditions, and now boasts a greater range of forecast content; this echoes the developer’s online effort, Forecast.io, plus the interface has been "Jony Ived," so to speak. Replacing vibrant colors and a bold dark interface is comparatively stark minimalism, with an animated map sitting beneath three sliding panels you can swipe between to access the forecast for the following hour, day, or week. The changes shoot for stylish, but come off as dull. If a storm’s brewing, it becomes a pastel smudge under opaque gray panels. Worse, aspects of the layout are poorly considered. On the iPad, the panels are merged into a single screen that lacks focus and feels sparse; on the iPhone, clutter abounds.</p><p><img src="/files/u338318/2014/02/darksky.png" width="620" height="548" /></p><p>We also found some aspects of the design troublesome. As the app loads, a pulsating circle morphs into a means to display the current temperature, with local conditions wrapped around it; but when returning to this display, it lacks the immediacy of recognizable weather symbols found on Forecast.io. Occasionally, gestures will clash between navigation designed to work with on-panel elements and the means to move between panels. And although the animated map can be zoomed and twisted, there’s no reset, the default zoom is controlled by the app rather than you, it’s sluggish to update, and it often appears blurry and lacks location markers.</p><p>Beyond the surface, though, it’s clear that an excellent weather app is fighting to get out. Rainfall predictions are beautifully animated and eerily accurate, and are now joined by a similar temperature gauge. Each forecast panel provides carefully considered information: rainfall and temperature for the hour; conditions, sky, temperature, and sunlight for the coming 24 hours (including, in a neat touch, the time of, and time until, the next sunrise/sunset); and conditions/temperatures for the coming week, which can be swiped to see an hour-by-hour indication of rainfall.</p><p><strong>The bottom line.</strong> From an information standpoint, Dark Sky’s update is a winner. But to break into the mainstream or even best the free, online Forecast.io, the interface and manner in which information is presented need some work.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dark-sky-weather-radar-hyperlocal/id517329357?mt=8" target="_blank">Dark Sky 4.0.1</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Forecast </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.darkskyapp.com" target="_blank">www.darkskyapp.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$3.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Excellent forecasting. The map is great when it works. Useful information, such as hours of remaining daylight. Generally pleasant to use.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>New interface swaps daring for dull. Gesture problems. Some questionable usability and design decisions. Sluggish map. Free web counterpart Forecast.io is in some ways better.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/dark_sky_review#commentsReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifeAppsDark SkyforecastiPod and iPhoneSoftwareWeatheriPadiPhoneiPodTue, 04 Feb 2014 17:22:46 +0000Craig Grannell19235 at http://www.maclife.comPerfect Weather Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/perfect_weather_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Apps designed using iOS 7's design language have a clear advantage. Those that we loved in iOS 6 are already starting to feel old and antiquated, and it won't be long before we start looking for more modern replacements. Perfect Weather, while not quite as perfect as it claims, is a worthy contender. <br /><br />With an animated, bright interface, it feels as much at home on iOS 7 as Apple’s own forecasting app, but Perfect Weather is not a Weather clone; if it borrows from any of Apple’s interfaces, it’s Passbook. A color-coded, tabbed list of cities shows current conditions at a glance, and the only animated clouds you’ll see inside come from the live radars that keep you up to date on what’s happening.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/09/screen_47.png" width="620" height="465" /></p><p>Once a tab is expanded, Perfect Weather offers a ton of information, but nothing about its interface seems cluttered or bloated. Part of its airy feel is due to the thin fonts and minimal icons, but there’s a level of organization that doesn’t bog down your eyes. A multi-level pull-down menu provides a six-day forecast and an hourly temperature graph, while swiping to the left reveals an array of stats, from humidity and real-feel temperature to barometric pressure. Real-time radar straight from the NOAA is something of a killer addition to the feature set, and we particularly loved playing with the rain and clouds sliders — a brilliant innovation that adjusts the transparency of the overlaid graphics.<br /><br />It's not all sunny, though. We ran into an unexpected six-city limit, something that could be a deal-breaker for weather junkies. A separate slot is reserved for GPS roaming, but it would have been nice to see exactly where we were, rather than the nondescript "Your Location" it lists. Also, Perfect Weather doesn't travel well — we were rebuffed when we tried to find a city outside the United States and weren't able to switch to Celsius.<br /><br /><strong>The bottom line</strong>. Perfect Weather has a few flaws, but its interface is sure to please early iOS 7 adopters.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/perfect-weather-noaa-radar/id695709241?mt=8" target="_blank">Perfect Weather 1.0.1</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Contrast Apps </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.contrast.co" target="_blank">http://www.contrast.co</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$2.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 6.0 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Beautiful iOS 7-inspired design. Excellent interactivity with radar maps. Nice animations.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>No support for non-U.S. locations. No identification for GPS location. Six-city limit can be constricting.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/perfect_weather_review#commentsReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifeforecastsiPhone and iPod AppsPerfect WeatherreviewsSoftwaresoftwareWeatheriPhoneiPodFri, 27 Sep 2013 14:00:44 +0000Michael Simon18166 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/morning_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>The iPad is built for multitasking, but Apple's idea of it can be somewhat limiting. The ability to quickly switch between apps is nice, but what we're really waiting for is a Dashboard-style environment for widgets; if not to truly multitask, then at least to access our important data at a glance. Morning is a bit like a stripped-down version of Status Board, sporting a set of panels that present the information you need to start your day without jumping around to a bunch of different apps. It looks great, with bold fonts, bright color themes, and crisp graphics, but ultimately its interface is just too simplistic to be taken seriously.<br /><br />There are eight categories to choose from – time/date, weather, news, reminders, calendar, stocks, countdown, and commute – and Morning displays any six of them at one time. The layout consists of four small panels beneath two bigger ones, with each displaying the most recent information. Depending on where they're placed, panels can contain extra data; for example, the small weather space displays current conditions, but the larger one expands to include humidity, dew point, wind, and a 48-hour forecast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/07/screen_2.jpg" width="620" height="465" /></p><p>The tiles are somewhat customizable, with the most powerful being a basic RSS feed reader that displays an article's headline and first paragraph, but unfortunately none of the tiles are active. You may feel an overwhelming urge to reach out and interact with the panels, but aside from scrolling through stories or swiping through stocks, nothing responds to your touch. <br /><br />We really wanted to love Morning, but its pretty interface just can't overcome its shortcomings. Even overlooking the inactive panels, there just isn't enough here to recommend, especially not at a premium price. Among our complaints: If you change panel locations, your prior settings are forgotten, plus there's no way to add your email or Twitter timeline, and you can't change the color of individual tiles.<br /><strong><br />The bottom line. </strong>Morning couldn't look much better, but its interface needs a wake-up call.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/morning-weather-to-do-news/id659672658?mt=8" target="_blank">Morning 1.0.1</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Tamper </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.tamper.io" target="_blank">http://www.tamper.io</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$2.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPad running iOS 6.0 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Great use of colors, fonts, and graphics. Built-in RSS reader. Good library of panels.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Little interaction. Not enough customization. Settings aren't remembered.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/morning_review#commentsGalleryReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifeCalendarclockiPad AppsMorningnewsreviewsSoftwaresoftwareto-dotrafficWeatheriPadFri, 05 Jul 2013 14:00:02 +0000Michael Simon17443 at http://www.maclife.comThunder and Lightning, Oh My! Thunderspace Brings It All to iPhonehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/thunder_and_lightning_oh_my_thunderspace_brings_it_all_iphone
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/thunderspace_620px.png" alt="Thunderspace" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>If you've ever wanted to experience a thunderstorm without having to get wet, Thunderspace answers the call by giving iPhone users the power of Thor's hammer Mjölnir, all without a drop of rain.<br /><br /><a href="http://thunderspace.me" target="_blank">Taptanium</a>&nbsp;today released <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/thunderspace/id636485814?ls=1&amp;mt=8" target="_blank">Thunderspace</a>, a new iPhone app that combines headphone-based stereoscopic 3D sound and the iPhone's built-in LED flash to simulate a thunderstorm virtually anywhere, at a promotional price of $0.99 (normally $2.99).<br /><br />You're probably wondering: How can a stereo audio source produce 3D sound? "We used special stereo microphones with ears to record the sound the way humans hear: With interaural time and level differences," the company explains on its website.<br /><br />"With headphones on, the sound recorded by the left microphone enters your left ear, and the sound recorded by the right microphone enters your right ear. Your brain decodes the stereoscopic 3D audio cues as if you were there when the recording took place."<br /><br />The app includes two thunderstorms: Waterscape from Emmy-award winning nature sound recordist Gordon Hempton and Roof Garden, from Taptanium lead designer and developer Franz Bruckhoff. Six others are available as in-app purchases, each for another 99 cents during the promotional period (normally $1.99 each).<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter<br /></a></em></p><p><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/69413473?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="620" height="349" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/69413473">Thunderspace ~ Behind the Scenes</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/taptanium">Taptanium</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/thunder_and_lightning_oh_my_thunderspace_brings_it_all_iphone#commentsNews3DhazeHeadphonesiPhone appsLED flashstereoscopicTaptaniumThunderspaceThunderstormWeatheriPhoneFri, 05 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000J.R. Bookwalter17439 at http://www.maclife.comWhen it Comes to iOS 7 Design, Apple and Developers Speak Different Languages http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/when_it_comes_ios_7_design_apple_and_developers_speak_different_languages
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.maclife.com/tags/Rounded_Rectangles"><img src="/files/u330237/2012/11/roundedrectangles_200.jpg" width="200" height="79" class="graphic-right" /></a></p><p>When millions of users hit the download button once iOS 7 becomes available this fall, it's going to take some time to get acclimated to all the new accoutrements. New buttons, fonts, shapes and colors are hiding around every corner, and just about every little detail has been refreshed, from the battery icon to the semi-translucent folders.</p><p>Still, there's a certain familiarity to iOS 7. Wildly different as it may be, it retains the simplicity and intuitiveness that we've enjoyed for years. Icons still adhere to a neat grid, navigation uses the same swipes and taps; essentially, the interface changes in iOS are superficial, focusing on design rather than changing what we know.</p><p>Apps, however, are a different story. The visual changes go beyond the surface; disparate, reality-based designs that we've disparaged for years have given way to a uniform elegance that sets a new standard, eschewing the cold, lifeless skeuomorphs for a breezy openness. What was crowded is minimal; dark gradients have been replaced with borderless buttons and thin, colorful fonts. Calendar, Notes, Music — all of Apple's stock apps behave as differently as they look, mirroring the modern sensibilities of iOS 7.</p><p>But the transition won't be so seamless for the other 900,000 or so apps. Even with a three-month head start, making the decision to overhaul an established interface isn't one to be taken lightly. With hundreds of millions of active, locked-in users, Apple can afford to alienate a few of them with a radical redesign, but developers might not be so quick to follow suit.</p><p><img src="/files/u330237/2013/07/0702_rr_weather.png" width="620" /><strong>Weather Dial (left) knew what iOS 7's Weather icons (right) would look like even before Jony Ive did.</strong></p><p>"My personal philosophy as a developer is to remain outside of an operation system's visual language," said David Elgena, developer of <a href=" http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/wthr_review">Weather Dial</a> (formerly WTHR). "Operating systems will always be changing. I see each app as its own unique problem to solve, calling for its own unique solution. So I believe app developers should design outside of an operating system."</p><p>Elgena does have a point. The best iOS apps have never been copycats — just take a look at <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/vesper_review">Vesper</a> and <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/foresee_review">Foresee</a>, two strong newcomers that took on an iOS 7 feel before we even knew it existed — and many of my favorites have interfaces that always seemed a step ahead of iOS 6.</p><p>"It was always my intent for the <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/tempo_smart_calendar_review">Tempo Smart Calendar</a> UI to be flat and utilize white space just as your traditional calendar," said lead interaction designer Jon Amolo. "Traditional calendars are designed the way they are for a reason; it is pure typography. ... Why re-create a universal design language? We will continue to implement a flat design not due to the 'flat' trend, but because it is simple and intuitive to the user."</p><p>Even without textures or shadows, Tempo never felt out of place on iOS 6, but it shines in iOS 7. As do apps like Track 8, CARROT and Write; it's not that they ignored Apple's human interface guidelines, it's that they applied them in such unique ways, it's almost as if Apple is finally catching up to them, not the other way around.</p><p>"Weather Dial was designed with a very specific use case in mind and will remain outside the iOS 7 language," Elgena said. "I'm interested in what's next, what comes after flat. I think the only developers that will be concerned with iOS 7 will be those who have designed using iOS 6's visual language in mind."</p><p>It's a little trickier with the icons. Whether or not you agree with the color scheme, Apple iOS 7 icons are far more modern than the ones they replace and more in line with the trend toward simple flat images over elaborate dimensional ornaments. iOS 7 automatically "flattens" icons by removing some dimension and gloss, but I suspect we're going to find more than a few redesigns when the first wave of automatic updates start rolling through.</p><p><img src="/files/u330237/2013/07/0702_rr_calendar.png" width="620" /><strong>While it's distinct from Apple's new Calendar (right),&nbsp;Tempo (left) makes the iOS 7 transition without missing a beat.</strong></p><p>"I definitely think we'll see a bias in the industry towards single central glyphs on a colorful background'" said Michael Flarup, UI and icon designer for <a href="http://robocatapps.com" target="_blank">Robocat</a>. "Client work is always very influenced by the current trends and topics, and while a lot can be said about the direction in iOS 7, Apple certainly stirred the pot. I'm absolutely sure we'll be seeing a lot of requests for this type of simplistic, radiant look."</p><p>As controversial and polarizing as they may be, Apple wants its icons to have a bit more prominence in iOS 7. The bright, cheerful colors practically jump off the screen, from the background parallax wallpaper to the launch animations; instead of parting the grid as an app opens, icons expand forward, lingering just enough to fade into the interface. It's subtle, but all of these little details will certainly affect the way developers approach their little square works of art.</p><p>"The icons in iOS 7 consists of very base elements without any complexity and any effects added to them," said Tanmay Sonawane, creator of <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/write_dropbox_review">Write</a>. "The smooth transition you see in iOS 7 when you tap an icon and the icon gradually expands into the app itself means it's very important now that the icon match the color scheme of your actual UI to ensure that it blends in with the transition."</p><p>While Sonawane plans on sticking with his "clean, simple" icon that "goes with the default icons very well," others might be rethinking their choices, no matter how recognizable they've become. And I suspect Apple's own App Store offerings will be getting a speedy makeover, too, no matter how slow the interfaces within are to change.</p><p>Over at Pixel Resort, Flarup has already released <a href="http://appicontemplate.com" target="_blank">App Icon Template 3</a> to help get the ratios and corners just right, but he still thinks there's plenty of room for creativity within the new, flatter structure.&nbsp;</p><p>"I always felt like the work we've done at Robocat went its own ways," he said. "There's always some trends that trickle down, and you'll obviously need to take in the new surroundings, but ultimately we'll make whatever we think is pretty regardless of the visual direction of the OS."</p><p><em>Find Michael Simon on Twitter or App.net&nbsp;<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #0099cc; text-decoration: none;" href="http://twitter.com/morlium" target="_blank">@morlium</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/when_it_comes_ios_7_design_apple_and_developers_speak_different_languages#commentsBlogsAnalysisAppLifeAppsCalendarColumnsDesigniOSiOS 7Rounded RectanglesTempoWeatherWeather DialFeaturesInterfaceiPadiPhoneiPodTue, 02 Jul 2013 22:59:49 +0000Michael Simon17429 at http://www.maclife.comForesee Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/foresee_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>There's just something about weather apps. They all basically do the same thing, but no matter how many we download, we just can't resist the temptation of a new interface or novel concept. Foresee fits both of these criteria, so naturally we had to try it out. However, it's less a weather forecasting app than an outdoor planning one. It does display the current temperature and conditions in a city of your choosing, but instead of simply showing highs and lows for the next few days, it predicts how the weather will affect the various things you want to do.<br /><br />Mind you, this isn't Siri telling you to bring a jacket because it's cold. With Foresee, your personal forecast is based on dozens of common (and some not-so-common) outdoor activities, with choices ranging from archery and dog-walking to baseball and yard-sale exploring. Once an activity is selected, you can choose your preferred time of day and set desired ranges for up to three conditions — selecting from temperature, precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, or UV index — using a slick series of vertical sliders.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/06/screen_41.png" width="620" height="465" /></p><p>When you "check the forecast" using Foresee, it'll quickly tell you which activities you can expect to participate in over the next 10 days. As you swipe through each one, you might think you stumbled onto an iOS 7 beta; it's uncanny how Foresee's bright colors, thin fonts, and flat icons mimic Apple's new style. It's as pretty as you'd expect, which is always great for an app that you may need to check several times a day.<br /><br />While the library of activities is extensive, we would have liked the ability to create a few indoor ones — like "See a Movie" for days when it's cold and rainy. We had some mild issues while flipping through days and activities, mainly due to the interface's spring-like animations, and a loading screen was a constant irritation. And we'd probably find ourselves using it a lot more often if notifications and alerts were added in a future update.<br /><br /><strong>The bottom line</strong>. Foresee predicts more than the weather — it sees into the future of your life.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foresee/id597382937?mt=8" target="_blank">Foresee 1.0.1</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
BorderLeap </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.foreseetheday.com" target="_blank">http://www.foreseetheday.com</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$0.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5.1 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Future-proof design. Good for planning outdoor activities. Fun gesture-based interface.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>No custom activities. Some interface issues. Lacks alerts and notifications.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/foresee_review#commentsGalleryReviewsactivitiesapp store reviewsAppLifeForeseeiPad AppsiPhone and iPodOutdoorsreviewsSoftwaresoftwareSportsWeatheriPadiPhoneiPodThu, 27 Jun 2013 21:10:58 +0000Michael Simon17391 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Now Comes to iOS with Search 3.0 Updatehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_now_comes_ios_search_30_update
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/google_now_on_search_3.0_update_200px.png" alt="Google Now on iPad" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />One of the most unique features introduced with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean last year was Google Now, an intelligent personal assistant. The feature has now landed on iOS as well, thanks to update to the Google Search app.<br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-search/id284815942?mt=8" target="_blank">Google updated its official Google Search app for iOS on Monday</a>, carrying its coveted Google Now feature over to version 3.0 of the existing free, universal app. The feature has been widely rumored to arrive on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad in recent months, a claim recently disputed by chairman Eric Schmidt, who pinned the blame on Apple.<br /><br />After updating to Google Search 3.0, Google Now information will now appear alongside the search giant's other offerings, offering weather and traffic conditions before you embark on your next journey.<br /><br />Google Now is also equipped to beam iOS users updates on favorite sports teams or breaking news. The feature taps into recent Google searches to provide you customized&nbsp; news and information, which is nicely complemented by the app's existing Voice Search.<br /><br />Unfortunately, using Google Now on iOS won't be quite as seamless as it is on Android, where it's available from the lock screen with a simple swipe gesture. However, it's great to see that Google isn't afraid to keep its coolest Android features close to its vest.<br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-search/id284815942?mt=8" target="_blank">Google Search 3.0</a> is now available from the App Store as a free update, and requires iOS 5.0 or later to install.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_now_comes_ios_search_30_update#commentsNewsApp Storegoogle nowgoogle now for iosgoogle searchSportstraffic dataUniversal Appsvirtual assistantWeatheriPadiPhoneiPodMon, 29 Apr 2013 14:25:46 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16862 at http://www.maclife.comYahoo! Mail Updated for iPad, New Weather for iPhone Apphttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/yahoo_mail_updated_ipad_new_weather_iphone_app
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/yahoo_weather_app_200px.png" alt="Yahoo! Weather app" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Amidst rumors that CEO Marissa Meyer is trying to get a little more Yahoo! on iOS devices, the company has released an update to its existing Mail app for iPad support as well as a standalone Weather app.<br /><br />Yahoo! announced the debut of two new iOS offerings on Thursday, with the first coming as welcome news to iPad and iPad mini owners.<br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yahoo!-mail/id577586159?mt=8" target="_blank"><br />The free, official Yahoo! Mail app is now universal</a>, bringing native iPad and iPad mini support for the company's dedicated email client. The app also adds a new full-screen "Reading Mode" for displaying messages in a magazine style and several advanced options for acting upon messages.<br /><br />Perhaps the more curious offering is a new <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yahoo!-weather/id628677149?mt=8" target="_blank">Yahoo! Weather app for iPhone</a>. While the screenshots look quite slick, Yahoo! already powers the data behind Apple's own built-in Weather app, so we're not quite sure why Meyer and Company would feel the need to write a dedicated app for this purpose.<br /><br />Be that as it may, Yahoo! Weather looks to be a pretty stylized solution, with big, bold photographs that match a user's location, time of day and even current weather conditions. The app can even be used to submit new photos to Yahoo's Project Weather on Flickr, which is a neat idea.<br /><br />The newly-universal Yahoo! Mail and iPhone-only Yahoo! Weather are now available from the App Store and require iOS 5.0 or later.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/yahoo_mail_updated_ipad_new_weather_iphone_app#commentsNewsApp StoreEmailiPad Miniiphone 5Marissa Meyernew appsUniversal AppsWeatherYahoo MailYahoo Weatheryahoo!iPadiPhoneiPodThu, 18 Apr 2013 13:37:49 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16761 at http://www.maclife.comOvernight Recap: Foxconn Resumes Hiring, YouTube Adds Live Streams for iOShttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/overnight_recap_foxconn_resumes_hiring_youtube_adds_live_streams_ios
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/clock_weather_news_200px.jpg" alt="Clock Weather News" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Americans are still reeling from the explosions that rattled the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon, which all but consumed social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook almost immediately after they took place. As a result, you might have paid far less attention to tech-related announcements (and who could blame you?), but thankfully we've assembled a handful to get you up to speed.</p><h3>Foxconn Resumes Hiring Ahead of Next iPhone</h3><p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424127887323346304578423930445976530-lMyQjAxMTAzMDEwNTExNDUyWj.html" target="_blank"><em>The Wall Street Journal</em> reported Monday</a> that Foxconn Technology Group is once again enlisting new factory workers for its Chinese assembly lines following a hiring freeze after the holiday season. The move is viewed as a good indication that Apple will be ramping up production of the next iPhone soon, with the Taiwanese company reportedly adding 10,000 workers per week in its Zhengzhou location alone over the last several weeks. We have been very busy recently as we will start mass-producing the new iPhone soon," a Foxconn executive remarked. The Zhengzhou factory alone employed roughly 300,000 people last year alone.</p><h3>YouTube iOS App Adds Access to Live Streams</h3><p>Google released <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/youtube/id544007664?mt=8" target="_blank">version 1.3 of its official YouTube app for iOS on Monday</a>, finally adding the ability to watch live streams on the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. The update also brings faster access to the latest uploads in the "My Subscriptions" feed,&nbsp; the ability to queue up videos for TV playback, "One Channel" branding for the company's original content channels and the usual battery of stability and performance improvements. YouTube 1.3 is a universal app now available on the App Store.</p><h3>Yawn: Microsoft Also Rumored to Be Working on Smart Watch</h3><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/14/4225336/microsoft-working-on-smart-watch" target="_blank">The Verge reported Monday</a> that Microsoft also intends to throw its hat into the "touch-enabled smart watch" market, with sources telling <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> that Redmond has already enlisted Asian suppliers for component shipments. With Apple, Samsung, Google and actual watch markers already rumored to also throw their hat into the ring, it's getting easier to name which companies won't be making a smart watch. However, the report notes that Microsoft has been down this road before with SPOT, a 2004 effort that crashed and burned four years later.</p><h3>After App Store Removal, AppGratis Puts Fate in Hands of Users</h3><p>The saga of Apple removing AppGratis from the App Store appears to be far from over, <a href="http://save.appgratis.com" target="_blank">with the company launching a page on its website </a>enlisting its more than 12 million users around the globe to rally behind the company's efforts to get the app discovery service restored. "Today we believe it's you, Apple's customers, who should have the final word," the page reads. "Today, you can speak up. Tell Apple that you think different." The website encourages AppGratis fans to participate with emails or tweets, with nearly 800,000 thus far voicing their support at this writing.</p><h3>Free Clock Weather News Brings Style to Retro Flip Clock</h3><p>Clock, weather and RSS feed reader apps have been done to death on the App Store, but how many developers actually bring all three into one title? That's exactly what <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clock-weather-news/id579994899?mt=8&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">Clock Weather News</a> does, featuring a retro flip clock design with localized weather images and yes, the ability to scroll headlines using a Google Reader-powered RSS feed -- but fear not, the developer already has an update ready to replace this functionality when Google pulls the plug in July. The best news is that the app is free, although users have the option to remove iAds from the bottom of the screen with a one-time in-app purchase of 99 cents, which also adds an alarm clock capable of waking users up to their favorite songs.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/overnight_recap_foxconn_resumes_hiring_youtube_adds_live_streams_ios#commentsNewsApp StoreAppGratisclockFoxconnhiringlive streamMicrosoftovernight recapsmart watchWeatherYouTubeiPadiPhoneiPodTue, 16 Apr 2013 12:31:47 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16741 at http://www.maclife.com